I can finally say that I will officially be graduating at the end of this month. Can you believe it?
Of course, graduating university was my goal when I moved to England four years ago. But now that goal is so close to completion, it feels unreal. I’m so proud of myself to have worked so hard over the last four years and get a 2:1 in my English and Creative Writing degree (in my second language while working 20-30 hours on the side every week to pay for everything).
Tons of people ask me about my future plans, now graduation is so close. Which is why this entire blogpost is dedicated to that topic. I cannot plan out my entire life from here, but there are some goals, dreams and more concrete plans nearing the horizon and I’m eager to share them with you.
Travel plans
After graduating at the end of this month, I will be flying out to Denver with my family for a road trip! From Denver we’ll be driving to the west coast to visit places as LA and San Francisco.
In September and the start of October, I’ve decided to stay at my parents’ house for a short while. I’ve not had much time to be there over the last year because finishing my degree took a lot more time and effort than I ever could’ve imagined. I miss my high school friends, my sisters and other close family! Plus, this gives me almost six weeks to work on my novel and other writing projects to fill up my writing portfolio (if you have any writing that needs editing or anything that needs writing- hit me up!)
At the end of October, my boyfriend and I are going to fulfill one of my biggest dreams: travel to Japan. I’ve wanted to go to Japan since I was 12-13 years old and the fact that I’ll finally be visiting the country I’ve been dreaming off for almost 10 years blows my mind. We’ll fly out to Tokyo and stay in Japan for 2,5 weeks. From Tokyo we’ll travel to Kyoto, Osaka, Nara and Mount Fuji.
What country am I gonna live in?
Even though I’m planning to stay in the Netherlands over September and work on my writing, that doesn’t mean that I will be moving back to my home country. Manchester has become my home over the last few years and I’m nowhere near ready to leave it. Once my boyfriend and I get back from our Japan trip, I will be joining him on the plane back to the UK.
Jobs!?
And now the real, scary subject. A full-time job! When I come back to the UK in November I’m gonna try to find an affordable studio apartment in the city and start that job hunt. My dream job would be writing for television or work at a publishing agency. Of course, it’s hard to get into jobs like that, even with an English and Creative Writing degree. And I do worry that my foreign name, foreign passport and foreign accent will make this search even harder. But I’m going to try! Luckily the BBC and ITV are located in Manchester and I’m keeping an eye out on their websites for internships and job opportunities, as well as working hard to create a portfolio to show them.
Check out this list of best travel jobs!
Very exciting things are coming and I cannot wait to start the graduate life – but for now, I’m going to relax a little after working so hard the last four years!
To all of you who are also graduating this month, congratulations!
Hi! I'm Nele (Nayla), a Dutch travel journalist who has lived in Manchester, UK for the last 6 years. On The Navigatio, I share my love for urban tourism and soft adventure travel with my free itineraries and travel guides. I run this website full-time while exploring new cities and sharing my favourite places with my readers. Read more.24 Comments on What are my plans after graduation?
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Congratulations!
And good luck with your plans 🙂
Cora | http://www.teapartyprincess.co.uk/
Thank you! 🙂
That trips sound so good and it will good with no haste about job and work in the background.
Your television an writing Sounds even good because you can write about all what you want.
Fresh ideas are always good. Maybe you can work for other tv studios or chanles in europe.(gemany took manny ppl that where not germans for new ideas). I wished the best and awsome adventures for you an your Journeys.
Cya
Thanks so much 🙂 I think I need the little break from work and university in my travels, hopefully it’ll lead to some new ideas for stories!
Congratulations Nele! You totally deserve it. I can tell that you definitely worked hard for your degree, specially if you had a part time job. For me it’s even hard to manage time and I’m a full time student. I can’t wait to see your USA posts and Japan. Enjoy the trips! Keep us updated if you’d like.
Laura M
Thank you so much, it means a lot! Will definitely try and write as many posts about my trips on here, to share my little adventures!
Congratulations on graduating! It sounds like there are SO many exciting things coming up for you, too. Hope you can find a job you love when you’re back from your adventures 🙂
Thank you so much! It’s crazy to think how many amazing things I get to do this year, I feel incredibly blessed! Very excited to share my journey from here 😀
Congratulations!! It sounds like you have some exciting plans. Enjoy your summer and I wish you luck in finding a job that you enjoy. 🙂
Thank you! Fingers crossed it’ll go nice and smoothly!
Congratulations, Nele! (Kathy Woolard, here! Wow we haven’t talked in a long time!) I’m so glad to see that you’ve accomplished all you set out to do In Manchester, years ago! This must be a very exciting time for you! It’s wonderful that you and Richard are going to get to travel to Japan. I’ve always wanted to go there too. My father actually lived in Nagoya for four years, but that was long before I was born, so I missed that boat! That’s great you’re going to Colorado. My mother’s side of the family live in Denver and Colorado Springs. It’s beautiful out there, I’m sure you’ll have a good time…and also in California, too!
I wish you happy travels and all the best for your life, job search and future, when you return to Manchester!
Take Care,
Kathy
Fab plans. I haven’t been to Japan. Hope you have a amazing time there
Sounds like you have things all planned out! Congratulations!!
Best of Luck, Nele! I’m sure you’ll do fine at whatever you set your mind to do and as long as you keep pushing and stay positive, not to mention patient, things will work out for the best 🙂
I’m really envious of your trip to Japan! That has to be my number one dream destination since I was really young as well. Looking forward to hearing how it went <3
Thank you so much! Very excited to share my Japan trip on here as soon as I come back 😀 <3
Awesome plans!!! Please do posts on budgeting and planning for travels! I’m also graduating this year at the end of December and I am beyond excited and I also have plans to travel so hopefully I do soon. Congratulations on graduating seems like you have solid plans. I hope they work out for you 😊
Deanna
I’d love to put some budget and planning posts about my upcoming trips on here! Definitely stay tuned for that ^_^ Good luck with your future graduation!
As a recent graduate myself, I know how hard it is to know what the hell you are doing next. (one of the main reasons I am studying for one more year to do Masters). I wish you all the best in your job search. Good luck!! Laura / https://laustworld.blogspot.com/
Thanks so much Laura! Best of luck with your Masters! <3
Congratulations on graduating! I would also love to go to Japan, hopefully you find a job soon
Thanks so much! 🙂
Congratulations! Good luck with the job search, I really hope it goes well for you because Manchester is an amazing city.
Thank you Megan! I fell in love with Manchester during my time here at university and really hope I can find a way to stay 🙂